Welcome to Chapter 14 – Invasion, Part One: The Arrival! In a very real way, today marks the beginning of a whole new era for the SuperFogeys. This story of alien invaders coming to Earth is a big one and, while it builds off of everything that’s gone before, it represents such a huge shift [...]
Archive for ‘Chapter 14 – The Arrival’
Marc blew me away with that first panel. How great is that? Space Monkeys! Zurida’s Palace! So freakin’ cool. And Star–I mean DARK–Maiden’s new costume! Look for a blog later on showing some of the design work Marc and I did on that. I really love what we ended up with, but there were some [...]
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Mar 11, 21 | 881 – Minutes Away |
May 9, 11 | 314 – Dr. Rocket’s Space Journey, Pt. 3: The One He Truly Hunts |
Mar 27, 07 | 126 – Who the @#$% is the Third Man? |
Nov 19, 20 | 857 – Knocked Off the Perch |
Oh, Star Maiden. What happened? I find the different interpretations of who exactly Dark Maiden is in relation to Star Maiden really fascinating. There seems to be some disagreement, which surprises me. But that? That’s a real death. Don’t forget to tip the artist! Click on the Money Man picture below the strip to donate [...]
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Jan 8, 20 | 822 – You Talkin’ to Me? |
Dec 10, 12 | 465 – Lip Lick |
Apr 9, 09 | 203 – Shame, Shame |
Mar 26, 14 | 583 – The Captain is Not as Alone as He Thinks |
Jun 12, 13 | 512 – The Worst Thing That’s Ever Happened to Swifty |
Here he is, the man of the hour, President Superknocker. He’s all I hoped for and more. Any resemblance to any Presidents either living or dead is strictly coincidental. These “news strips” come from my love of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. Besides being a great story, I love how Miller tells his story [...]
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Jun 17, 08 | 139 – Jerry’s Fate Revealed |
Nov 23, 06 | 50 – And the Actual Winner of Bingo Night is… |
Dec 10, 20 | 861 – tink tink tink |
Feb 26, 18 | 766 – Always |
The question with any occupying force is always the same: when are they going to leave? ARE they going to leave? We shall see. All credit to Marc for the stellar colors in today’s strip. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this one really sings for me. Do you enjoy the SuperFogeys? [...]
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Jun 25, 12 | 423 – Family Resemblance (or Lack Thereof) |
Mar 27, 13 | 492 – Such Great Heights |
Dec 9, 08 | 186 – The Origin of Captain Spectacular and Dr. Rocket, Pt. 3 “Going Up” |
Mar 12, 14 | 579 – The Romantic Smell of Blood and Suffering |
Jan 15, 14 | 563 – Wreckage |
Creating the bulletin board o’ evidence was a fun exercise in diving back into the history of the strip and thinking about the things Spy Gal would see as relevant. Pretty much the same thing the readers saw, as it turns out! I love the way Marc drew Jerry’s reaction in the third panel. That’s [...]
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Feb 6, 07 | 96 – Portal? |
Aug 4, 09 | SF Origins: Tangerine, Pg. 2 “Master Masticate and the Concubine Cannibals” |
Apr 6, 11 | 305 – Favorite Thing He’s Seen All Year |
Feb 3, 11 | 294 – Funny Ya Should Mention That |
May 5, 12 | Pg. 11 “Fly Away” |
This isn’t exactly the team-up I think anybody saw coming, but here it is, the Fogey super team: Spy Gal, Swifty, Soviet Sam and Space Pig! Anyone whose name doesn’t start with an S need not apply. Avengers in four days! Avengers in four days! I know there have to be people who read SuperFogeys [...]
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Mar 19, 18 | 772 – Showdown at the New California Coast |
Feb 17, 11 | 296 – Even Her |
Jun 20, 11 | 326 – Air Valhalla |
Feb 6, 13 | 478 – What If Money Man Had Lived? |
Jul 8, 15 | 653 – When a Shirtless Captain Spectacular Shows Up |
Space Pig didn’t even get a line! Not ONE line! Have you guys been over to Just the First Frame yet? It’s a great new webcomics aggregator that posts just the first panel of any new webcomic on its list. So cool. Great way to know what you’re clicking into. Check it out right here [...]
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Jun 25, 09 | 213 – Bubbles of Light 4 |
Jun 28, 22 | 901 – Vanished |
Oct 31, 11 | 359 – Warmed Up |
Jul 28, 14 | 613 – President Reed |
Mar 15, 11 | Pg. 7 “Knife to the Throat” |
Marc reminds me with this strip how much fun it is to get out of Valhalla. He rendered the snot out of that alleyway! Those with eyes attuned will recognize the boy’s shirt for what it is. Did you see it? Did you see The Avengers? I saw it at the end of a 6 [...]
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Oct 21, 19 | 805 – Across the Mountaintop |
Sep 6, 22 | 921 – Obedience is Key |
Oct 15, 09 | 229 – Father and Tom |
Oct 23, 19 | 806 – Space Pigs in the Forest |
Jan 2, 13 | Guest Strip by Brock Heasley (???) |
Marc rocks the fight scene! This is one of the few times I just got smart and stepped aside and let Marc do his thing without trying to really script what he’s clearly got the instincts for. Life is good, life is hard. I’ve done some heavy duty reflecting this past week and because I [...]
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Jun 3, 11 | Pg. 8 “Future Imperfect” |
Oct 1, 12 | 445 – I Don’t Know What I’ve Been Told |
Jun 3, 09 | The SuperFogeys Free Comic Book Day Page! |
Mar 26, 14 | 583 – The Captain is Not as Alone as He Thinks |
Oct 10, 12 | 448 – Thinking Like a Hero |
Apologies! Late post today and this time it wasn’t because of my bumbling. We’ve been experiencing some real technical difficulties in SuperFogeys Central lately and though the strip was more than done on time, it was just impossible to post it until now. Ticks me off when this happens because Marc and I work so [...]
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Aak! What is going on?? Two late strips in one week? I can count on one hand the number of times that’s happened in the past six years. So, twice in one week? Unprecedented. My apologies. Marc is awesome, don’t blame him. I am lame, blame me. Hopefully we’ll get all these issues ironed out. [...]
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Dec 9, 08 | 186 – The Origin of Captain Spectacular and Dr. Rocket, Pt. 3 “Going Up” |
Jul 11, 12 | 428 – You Know Who You Sound Like? |
Mar 6, 13 | 486 – On a Thin Tether |
Oct 27, 14 | 631 – Two Decisions |
Dec 9, 13 | 555 – She’ll Kill Them All |
I want my own Sunway. Warning: does not work at night or during an eclipse. Otherwise, it’s awesome! I confess that I took the inspiration for The Sunway from Ed Wood’s “classic” film Plan 9 From Outer Space. We need to be careful how we tap into the power of sunlight. If we could do [...]
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Mar 12, 18 | 770 – Bumps in the Road |
Mar 3, 14 | 576 – Torture Chamber 3B |
Feb 11, 10 | 243 – A Deal is a Deal |
Oct 16, 08 | 172 – The Superhero Code |
Aug 25, 22 | 918 – Not Going in There |
That last panel closeup of Dr. Rocket is just so haunting. Well played, Marc. Well played. Lots to chew on with this strip. Have at it. In other news… I just posted a new blog on my blogging site entitled “Sex vs. Violence.” I’m sure I’m asking for it with this one, but feel free [...]
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I think this is the first real action strip we’ve seen since Jerry took down the robot in Chapter 12. Reminds me just how GOOD Marc is at the action. Thankfully, there’s tons more action coming up and I’ll get to put Marc through a few more paces. I’ve always referred to The SuperFogeys as [...]
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Feb 5, 20 | 830 – Literary Twist |
Jan 6, 20 | 821 – Frightening Frogs |
May 14, 08 | SF Collection #1 Cover |
So now you know. Space Monkeys. They’re horrible. There’s been some discussion about what, if anything, makes Captain Spectacular weak. There’s even been some hints here and there and some of you have guessed, but I figured it was time to make it plain. Then I deleted the relevant dialogue from this strip. What remains [...]
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Feb 1, 11 | Pg. 1 “Who You Callin’ Cow?” |
Oct 10, 11 | 353 – SHWABOOM!! |
Jan 19, 14 | 564 – One Year Later |
Jan 29, 09 | 193 – The Origin of Captain Spectacular and Dr. Rocket, Pt. 10 “Escape” |
Aug 8, 14 | Pg. 6 “Back From the Dead” |
I love the beard. If you don’t love the beard, I don’t want to hear from you. Want to know what Cap is thinking about? Check out this page from the SuperFogeys Origins story “The Six Wives of Captain Spectacular.” I finished the script for the SuperFogies Babies last week and I can’t wait for [...]
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Feb 26, 20 | 834 – Percy Makes a Choice |
Nov 26, 14 | 640 – Jerry Must Come Back |
Oct 29, 12 | 453 – Buried Weapons |
May 27, 13 | 507 – Telling Off Skunk Head |
Nov 3, 14 | 633 – A Different Destiny |
Even the strongest of leaders know to fear the might of the Space Pigs. I’m always impressed how Marc is able to fit so many characters into a panel and still leave me room for the dialogue. It’s a real skill to be able to do that. Most artists don’t have a natural instinct for [...]
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Nov 20, 13 | 550 – Everything in its Right Place |
Jan 15, 14 | 563 – Wreckage |
Oct 16, 17 | 738 – Old Lady McGoth |
Jan 8, 14 | 561 – Blind Rage |
Sep 9, 13 | 533 – Mega Matt Tells It |
I think 419 strips is a pretty long ways to go for a superhero to not show off his power, don’t you think? You guys can react however you like, but to me this feels like a triumphant moment. Marc really surprised me with the last panel. I mean, we’re seeing almost nothing of Swifty. [...]
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Sep 30, 10 | 278 – The Others |
Apr 1, 10 | 250 – To Be So Stupid |
Jan 1, 09 | Guest Strip by Mark R. Engel of “Prematurely Disappointed!” |
Jun 29, 15 | 649 – Can You Take a Punch? |
Sep 7, 12 | Pg. 5 “Who Squished?” |
I think I may have pushed how much dialogue I can fit into one strip to the limit. Golly, that’s wordy. Couldn’t help it. Zurida and her son are so much fun to write for and I really wanted to get a sense of their relationship. They surprised me a little. Marc did a particularly [...]
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Nov 28, 12 | 462 – Favoritism |
Apr 3, 13 | 494 – Hugging in the Throne Room |
May 31, 22 | 893 – All the Way to Vegas |
Feb 17, 20 | 831 – Rage |
Dec 5, 12 | 464 – Cuffed |
How could the Space Monkeys be anything but the Wookiees of the SF universe? Bet ya didn’t see Zurida as the Han Solo. Remember Spy Gal’s solo mission to Zurida’s Palace? Check out the four page, mostly silent tour de force right here!
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Nov 20, 13 | 550 – Everything in its Right Place |
May 15, 13 | 504 – A Striking Mustache |
Mar 7, 18 | 769 – Weeping Wandering Fat Children |
Sep 14, 16 | 699 – How Captain Spectacular Takes Care of Business |
Jul 14, 22 | 906 – He Looks Different |
Hey, gang, Marc here with the pinch hit posting for Brock. Looks like things are about to get awkward in DC, huh? Remember the last time Swifty and Star Maiden saw each other? Go back and relive some fond memories of Vegas.
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Dec 30, 09 | Guest Strip by Crystal Murphy, Part Two |
Dec 27, 11 | Guest Strip by Dan White! |
Nov 17, 20 | 856 – Grab That Rabbit! |
Oct 5, 12 | Pg. 7 “The Babymaker” |
Dec 30, 10 | Guest Strip by Scott Gallatin of “Madscott!” (2010) |
I don’t know how, but somehow Marc managed to draw what I can only describe as “an angry brain.” It’s hard to make a brain in a jar emote, but look! It does! Kudos, Marc. There was a time when Star Maiden’s father looked a little bit more like her. Don’t believe me? Check out [...]
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Aug 8, 16 | 688 – Zurida, The Peacemaker |
Sep 30, 11 | Chapter 7, “Visiting Day” Recap by Rossana Bugini |
Jun 9, 22 | 896 – Pushed Aside |
Jul 9, 09 | 215 – Little Snot |
Jun 17, 08 | 139 – Jerry’s Fate Revealed |
Everyone knows that all characters should be three dimensional. You’re more likely to believe in a fictional character when you can recognize the humanity–however manufactured–within them. One way of doing this, I’ve found, is to have characters treat some people one way and others a different way. There’s a side of Swifty that doesn’t really [...]
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Oct 22, 20 | 849 – Break a Hip |
Apr 5, 07 | 135 – The Tale of How Captain Spectacular Met Dr. Klein, Conclusion |
Dec 11, 13 | 556 – Sisters Rule, Pilatius Drools |
Oct 28, 19 | 807 – Space Pig vs. Space Pigs |
Jul 23, 14 | 612 – A Tale of Two Swifties. |
To get back in “wacky” Star Maiden mode clicked on the Star Maiden tag and looked back through all of her previous appearances. Kind of weird seeing all that history play out in brief. What struck me is how expressive Star is. I’ve missed that about her of late. Glad to have her back! Going [...]
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May 27, 13 | 507 – Telling Off Skunk Head |
Feb 15, 11 | Pg. 3 “For The Girls” |
Oct 19, 12 | Pg. 9 “Let’s Go!” |
Dec 18, 19 | 820 – Heart-Stopping Great Looks |
Nov 24, 20 | 858 – She Brewed Beer Yesterday |
Happy Independence Day to my American friends! To my British friends… Happy Colonial Burden Freedom Day! I lost my own father many, many years ago, but if I could have him back as a brain in a jar with a speaker? I totally would! We could talk and… talk. That’s pretty much it. Does Bezuel [...]
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Mar 22, 07 | 121 – Swifty Gets Slapped |
Dec 10, 09 | 237 – A Surprise Visitor |
Aug 23, 10 | SF Origins: Baby Swifty’s First Words, Pg. 2 “Preposterous” |
Oct 1, 09 | 227 – Star Maiden’s Fan Club |
Jun 24, 10 | 262 – What Happened to Star Maiden, Pt. 4 “All Hail” |
Sometimes, it’s just fun to put the joke in the first panel. Really frees up the rest of the panels to just tell the story. I always admire Marc’s ability to fit epic scale into small spaces. This story is gonna get a lot bigger before it’s over, but there’s aliens afoot (er, in the [...]
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Jun 14, 22 | 897 – Streaking Past |
Oct 21, 08 | 173 – The Blender of Vengeance |
Jun 1, 11 | 321 – Unified By a Common Purpose |
May 26, 09 | SF Origins: The Society of Heroes, Pg. 15 “DUDE!” |
Jun 29, 12 | Pg. 3 “Sounds Like Monsters” |
Strips like this are always a little difficult. There’s a lot going on in that last panel, but if you’re a new reader you’d really have no idea what any of it is. And there’s no way to communicate it to you succinctly. The perils of longform, story driven webcomics. I wouldn’t have it any [...]
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Dec 23, 08 | 190 – The Origin of Captain Spectacular and Dr. Rocket, Pt. 7 “Test Subjects” |
Mar 26, 14 | 583 – The Captain is Not as Alone as He Thinks |
Jun 22, 12 | Pg. 2 “Doppelgangers” |
Dec 19, 12 | 468 – Jerry’s Savior |
Apr 8, 10 | 251 – One-On-One |
Annnnnnd… WE’RE BACK! Did you miss us? Sorry for the brief hiatus, but it was necessary, believe me. Not like we’re making serious bank from this SuperFogeys endeavor (though I’m open to a change there) and a break now and again feels right to keep the fires stoked properly. Comic-Con and my 12th Anniversary felt [...]
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Mar 21, 07 | 120 – Swifty’s Losing? |
Mar 7, 18 | 769 – Weeping Wandering Fat Children |
Sep 18, 13 | 536 – Zurida and Her Subjects |
Jan 22, 20 | 826 – Into the Suckface |
Jul 13, 11 | 333 – A Word with Her Fiancee |
Marc, in case you don’t know, is one of those old fashioned, pen and paper guys. While lots of cartoonists these days are working strictly digital, the SuperFogeys has always been something you can put your hands on. You should see the stacks and stacks of original art I have. I’m sure Marc has the [...]
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Mar 26, 07 | 125 – Jerry’s Down |
Apr 15, 10 | 252 – Like A Son |
Aug 28, 08 | 158 – Bubbles of Light 2 |
Apr 18, 12 | 404 – President Superknocker |
Sep 6, 22 | 921 – Obedience is Key |
Some really cool stuff going on in this one. Besides Marc’s typically great art, check out that trophy room! Ten points to whoever can identify where the items came from. This chapter is nearing its conclusion… any guesses as to how it will end?
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Jun 1, 12 | Pg. 4 “The O’Hara Family Tragedy” |
Oct 3, 12 | 446 – General Spy Gal |
Sep 5, 11 | 348 – The Wheel of Fortune |
Aug 5, 11 | Pg. 3 “A Decent Fish Stick” |
Aug 20, 12 | 437 – Ever Since The Shriveled Speedster Left |
The modern day Society of Heroes team has a long and spotty history in these parts. I’ve never really detailed what their origin story is (the one separate from the original Society of Heroes) or why they are the way are. Maybe someday I’ll get to do that in an origin. Suffice it to say, [...]
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You gotta sympathize with the Society of Heroes. If you had a sweet pad like that, wouldn’t you just want to enjoy it? Alien invasions… giant robots… wouldn’t those all just get in the way? Someone (forgive me for not remembering who) in the comments last week floated the idea that the Society is my [...]
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Nov 4, 08 | 176 – An Evil #@$% |
May 29, 13 | 508 – Slightly More Conclusive Evidence |
Dec 14, 11 | 371 – Leaving Las Vegas |
Oct 17, 11 | 355 – Bubbles of Light 6 |
Feb 16, 21 | 874 – The One True |
Okay, I kind of love the Society of Heroes now. Why didn’t I ask Marc to draw them before? He does such a great job and I’m finding a lot of new life in them as characters seeing them through his eyes. Once upon a time, SuperFogeys Origins was going to be a modern day [...]
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Jul 2, 18 | Pg. 5 “Promise” |
May 23, 12 | 414 – Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe |
Mar 15, 07 | 114 – Enter: Star Maiden |
Oct 9, 08 | 170 – There Will Be Blood |
Feb 16, 21 | 874 – The One True |
I wasn’t entirely sure if Marc was gonna be able to pull everything off I was asking for in this strip, but darn it if he didn’t get done in one, tiny strip. Well done, sir. Marc and I are thinking of creating a SuperFogeys ashcan comic to hand out at the upcoming New York [...]
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I was pretty specific in the script for this one. If I remember correctly, I asked for an X-Men-esque second panel. I have lots of fond memories from the John Byrne-Jim Lee era of great scenes of the X-Men on their blackbird. Then you have CSII doing that with his hair. Cracks me up. Still [...]
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Sep 5, 12 | 442 – The Rest of Them |
Nov 26, 14 | 640 – Jerry Must Come Back |
Nov 7, 06 | 35 – Healer Q&A |
Aug 27, 10 | SF Origins: Operation: Valhalla, No. 4 “Talking Turnips” |
Aug 13, 09 | 220 – Don’t Act Like You Care |
I’m trying to remember the last time I did a strip this wordy… and I’m coming up short. As usual, Marc finds a way to make it work anyway. I’m really digging writing for villains lately as well. There’s been a dearth of them up til now. And Star Maiden. Half the fun of any [...]
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Oct 15, 20 | 847 – Macho Verve and Vigor |
Nov 20, 13 | 550 – Everything in its Right Place |
Oct 16, 13 | SuperFogeys Q and A: 2 of 4 |
May 14, 09 | 208 – Grab the Tush |
Jun 3, 09 | The SuperFogeys Free Comic Book Day Page! |
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May 17, 22 | 889 – So Much Love to Share |
Jan 13, 11 | 291 – Ear Cancer |
Nov 27, 08 | 183 – Eloquence |
Mar 12, 18 | 770 – Bumps in the Road |
May 19, 22 | 890 – Loved In Her Own Way |
I think crazy Star Maiden will always be my favorite. I’m sorry to see her go… again. Sorry about Friday! The latest and greatest page of SuperFogeys Babies was late, but you can see it at this link now!
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Jul 24, 08 | 148 – The Society of Heroes – Introducing Tangerine! |
Oct 16, 17 | 738 – Old Lady McGoth |
Jun 9, 22 | 896 – Pushed Aside |
Jul 1, 10 | 263 – What Happened to Star Maiden, Pt. 5 “A Parting Gift” |
Jul 9, 12 | 427 – I Bet He Wishes He Was a Lizard |
I’ve probably said it before, but pacing doesn’t get enough attention as one of the big keys to comic-making. Bad pacing can ruin a comic and make it unintelligible. Marc had a great idea with this strip and added the beat in the second panel to what was originally scripted as a three panel strip. [...]
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Jul 1, 15 | 650 – GAH! Feelings! |
Jun 25, 09 | 213 – Bubbles of Light 4 |
Mar 13, 13 | 488 – A Pale Queen Commands Them |
Nov 8, 06 | 36 – Valhalla Stinks! |
Jan 15, 14 | 563 – Wreckage |
Goodbye, Healer. We’ll miss you so. Why, it seems like only yesterday that you first came to Valhalla to cause your very specific manner of mischief. And then–you ascended! A spot at the table in the Great Hall of the Society of Heroes. And now, dead. Your superhero career was short lived… just like you. [...]
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Dec 5, 16 | 716 – Boy Haircut |
May 23, 11 | 318 – The Plans of Dr. Klein, Pt. 1 “Getting Rid of Captain Spectacular” |
Aug 14, 13 | 526 – Stolen Away |
Aug 10, 15 | 667 – The Importance of Good Hygiene |
Jan 6, 11 | Guest Strip by Marjorie Rishel |
Marc went with a very-different-than-normal approach to this strip and it works like gangbusters. (Which is an expression I’ve never really understood. If gangbusters work so well, why do don’t we have less gangs?) Fairly big shakeup today. And you thought Monday’s strip was big. Only two strips left in this chapter! Come back for [...]
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Jun 27, 12 | 424 – Somebody That He Used to Know |
Mar 17, 14 | 580 – The Pleasure of Conquering |
Feb 19, 18 | 764 – Meanwhile, Inside Dr. Rocket’s Bedchamber |
Aug 29, 12 | 440 – Up, Up and CRASH |
Jan 3, 14 | Guest Strip by Crystal Murphy, 6! |
This is it! The penultimate strip of Chapter 14, “Invasion, Part One: The Arrival!” Come on back Wednesday to see how it all ends and get a hint of where the story is going next… Plus, a special (unfortunately necessary) announcement.
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Jul 20, 11 | 335 – Diagonally |
Sep 2, 11 | Pg. 7 – “Silent Heart” |
May 18, 10 | SF Origins: Star Maiden, Pg. 6 “Earth” |
Nov 8, 06 | 36 – Valhalla Stinks! |
Jun 11, 12 | 419 – Adrenalin |
I gotta say… I did not expect this chapter to be this long. 44 strips. That ranks it among the very longest of chapters. I think in that you can see the scope of this Invasion storyline. Everything you’ve seen so far… everything in Part One… it’s all been setup for what’s to come. I [...]
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Mar 16, 21 | 882 – Says You |
Jun 6, 12 | 418 – President Superknocker Addresses The Nation |
Jan 9, 12 | 376 – Beaten But Not Broken |
Dec 2, 13 | 553 – Capture and Rescue Mission |
Feb 6, 13 | 478 – What If Money Man Had Lived? |